Valerian pulled back from their brief embrace, a smile playing at the corner of his lips, his piercing gaze assessing Kaelan.
"Well, well, Kaelan. Look at you now," Valerian's voice was a low hum, filled with unspoken understanding. "How long has it been?"
"Seven years," Kaelan replied, his voice steady.
Valerian chuckled, low and amused. "Seven years since we began this little game, and yet here we are. Still trying to break the pieces of this world into our hands."
"You've always had a way with timing," Kaelan said, his tone more serious now. "Alaric's wedding, the rumors of the bloodline… It couldn't have been more perfect."
"Perfect, indeed." Valerian's smile faded into something more contemplative, his eyes drifting toward the horizon. "But now, with Elowen… things are in motion, Kaelan. She's the key, there's no denying it."
Kaelan's lips tightened as his fists clenched involuntarily.
